I recently mentioned an imminent change to the team. Claudia has now joined the team. She will cover for Helen while Helen is on maternity leave. Helen finishes today and returns next Spring. Claudia effectively takes over the non-advanced portfolio (National Units, NPAs and NCs) and SVQ/CBQs, and Emma takes over the advanced portfolio (HN Units, PDAs and HNC/Ds). It’s not quite as clean as that since Claudia will also maintain some HN awards. Specifically: HNC/D Computer Games Development, HNC/D…
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As many of you will know, Helen is expecting a baby soon. She stops for maternity leave next Tuesday and returns next Spring (2019). Claudia Lambie will join the team from Monday. Claudia has previously worked for SQA (as a Qualifications Officer) so although the portfolio will be new to her, SQA won’t be, which will be a big help. Claudia’s previous experience is with school-based National Qualifications so vocational awards will be new. Claudia will introduce herself once she…
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March 21, 2018 - sqablogs -
The review of the NC Computer Games Development is almost complete. We are planning to host a validation event for this award on Friday, 4th May 2018. More information about this development can be found via the FAQ and a recent update on the Computing blog. We are now seeking volunteers to join the validation panel. If you are interested or have any query, please do not hesitate to contact me by Tuesday, 17th April 2018.
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March 21, 2018 - sqablogs -
Last month I provided an update regarding the progress of the NC/NPA Computer Games Development review. The NPA units have now been coded and are ready to be published. Once they are published, I will write an update on the blog with the new codes and links to the unit specifications. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the writing of the Group Award Specification has been slightly delayed and, therefore, the award cannot yet be validated. Given that there are no…
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March 19, 2018 - sqablogs -
After much work and effort from the team, today I sent out to centres some of the learning and teaching materials that we are currently developing to aid the delivery of these awards in centres. The materials provided today comprised a copy of the Learners’ Notes and Worksheets. They have been made available at this time, in order to assist centres that are currently delivering the award.The documents are still in ‘draft’ and, therefore, may contain some minor errors or…
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I recently created a Yammer group for school teachers who are interested in vocational qualifications in Computing, such as the NPA Cyber Security and NPA Computer Games Development. Vocational qualifications are growing in Scottish schools (there are currently over 600 pupils doing the Cyber Security award) but many teachers aren’t sure where to get help. The purpose of the group is to provide SQA- and peer-support to teachers so that they can get advice about a range of issues relating…
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We currently offer three diplomas (CBQs) called Diploma in IT & Telecommunication Professionals, at SCQF Levels 5, 6 and 8. The Tech Partnership is currently revising the associated National Occupation Standards (NOS) and crediting and levelling these standards (on SCQF). Once this work is complete, SQA will be in a position to develop new qualifications based on the new NOS. The existing qualifications will be replaced by three new awards: IT Solutions Development (SCQF 6/8) IT Infrastructure (SCQF 6/8) Telecommunications…
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I updated the qualification diagram today. You can see it here. I made the following changes to the previous version. HNC/D Technologies in Business is now available PDA Cyber Security is now being developed NPA Mobile Technology (SCQF Level 6) is removed NPA Digital Media (SCQF Levels 4 and 5) is now available NPA Web Design (SCQF Level 5) is now available. As you’ll see from the diagram, we’re currently developing the following qualifications. HNC Cyber Security HND Computer Science…
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The Technology Industry Advisory Board (TIAB) is a Scottish Government/SQA committee that looks at the best ways for education to meet the needs of industry. Members are drawn from organisations across Scotland. I attended a meeting today to discuss the qualification development process.The Board wanted to know if there was anything it could do to improve the process. It was a good, positive meeting. I explained the strengths and weaknesses of the current process. The strengths include the robust procedures in…
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March 6, 2018 - sqablogs -
We have now finalised the review of the units of the NPA Computer Games Development. We are now, therefore, looking for writers to undertake the task of writing the ASPs for these units. We are aiming to develop three ASPs. We would like the ASPs to have an integrated approach, whereby each ASP would cover all units at one level (eg Design, Media Assets and Development at Level 4). Consequently, this would encourage a holistic approach to assessment, whereby candidates…
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